DrugRehab.com provides information regarding illicit and prescription drug
addiction, the various populations at risk for the disease, current statistics and trends, and
psychological disorders that often accompany addiction. You will also find information on spotting
the signs and symptoms of substance use and hotlines for immediate assistance.

Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the individual.
In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer information on
outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of care. In this section, you
will find information and resources related to evidence-based treatment models, counseling and
therapy and payment and insurance options.

Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the
individual. In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer
information on outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of
care. In this section, you will find information and resources related to evidence-based
treatment models, counseling and therapy and payment and insurance options.

The recovery process doesn't end after 90 days of treatment. The transition back to
life outside of rehab is fraught with the potential for relapse. Aftercare resources such as
12-step groups, sober living homes and support for family and friends promote a life rich with
rewarding relationships and meaning.

Our community offers unique perspectives on lifelong recovery and substance use
prevention, empowering others through stories of strength and courage. From people in active
recovery to advocates who have lost loved ones to the devastating disease of addiction, our
community understands the struggle and provides guidance born of personal experience.

Nicotine Addiction

Nicotine is a drug found in tobacco products. The chemical can lead to lung, heart and brain problems. Although it is difficult to overcome nicotine addiction, a variety of therapies can help people quit using tobacco products.

Tobacco products can be smoked, sniffed or chewed. Traditional cigarettes, cigars and electronic cigarettes are popular nicotine products that are often smoked. Smokeless tobacco, such as dip or snuff, is typically chewed or inhaled.

As a stimulant, nicotine increases levels of the chemical dopamine in the brain. This triggers euphoria, boosts mood and enhances memory. However, nicotine can also cause a number of immediate and long-term health problems.

Exposure to nicotine can be fatal. Tobacco causes nearly 6 million deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And more than 16 million Americans live with a disease caused by smoking.

Efforts to stop tobacco use don’t always work. But people addicted to cigarettes can take a number of steps to quit smoking. Individuals who overcome nicotine dependence often go on to live longer than those who continue using the substance.

How Addictive Is Nicotine?

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances in the world. People who are addicted to the drug compulsively use it despite knowing the consequences of their actions.

Any amount of nicotine use can cause addiction. According to the National Institutes of Health, signs of nicotine addiction include:

Continuing to use tobacco despite trying to stop

Feeling irritated or anxious when you cannot use tobacco

Experiencing cravings for nicotine

Going out of your way to get tobacco

People develop a tolerance for nicotine as they consume more of the drug. As tolerance increases, they need higher doses to feel the same initial effects.

Most people addicted to nicotine want to quit. But once you start using nicotine products, it is hard to stop. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, only about 6 percent of smokers are able to quit in a given year.

How Much Nicotine Is in a Cigarette?

The more nicotine you consume, the more likely you are to become addicted. People who regularly use smokeless tobacco are more likely than smokers to become addicted to nicotine because these products contain more of the drug.

A cigarette includes about 10 milligrams of nicotine, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. On average, a person inhales 1 to 2 milligrams of nicotine from each cigarette. Other chemicals absorbed from a cigarette include tar, carbon monoxide and nitrosamines.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse also states that between 4.4 and 25 milligrams of nicotine can be found in smokeless tobacco. In fact, a person holding an average amount of dip in his or her mouth for 30 minutes receives as much nicotine as someone who smokes three cigarettes.

Who Uses Nicotine?

People of all ages use products that contain nicotine.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that a higher percentage of young adults were current cigarette users than were any other age demographic measured in the survey. In the 2016 survey, more than 23 percent of participants aged 18 to 25 reported using cigarettes in the past month.

Cigarette use among teens has largely declined. For example, the Monitoring the Future survey found that just 9.7 percent of high school seniors were current cigarette users in 2017. More than 13 percent of 12th-grade students were current smokers in 2014.

In recent years, more teens have turned to vaping. This method of nicotine use involves inhaling the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device. In 2017, more than 16 percent of 12th-graders were current vapers.

Adolescents can easily become addicted to tobacco products. Teens are particularly at risk for the long-term effects of nicotine because their brains are still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to addiction than adults.

Nicotine Effects

Over time, nicotine use can deteriorate a person’s health. It can cause a range of health problems, from coughing and wheezing to increased heart rate or blood pressure.

Because it typically contains more nicotine, smokeless tobacco products such as dip or snuff can produce more distressing effects than those caused by cigarettes.

Side effects of nicotine include:

Coughing or wheezing

Breathing problems

Increased heart rate

Dizziness or confusion

Nausea, sweating or diarrhea

Decreased appetite

Excess amounts of saliva and phlegm

Tremors

Long-term nicotine use can lead to pregnancy-related health issues, including problems with fertility and fetal development. The chemical can also increase the risk for heart palpitations, chest pains, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The chemical can produce withdrawal symptoms in regular nicotine users who suddenly reduce or stop their use of these products. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include headaches, cravings and anxiety.

While nicotine does not cause cancer, tobacco products contain a variety of cancer-causing compounds, such as tar and acetaldehyde. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

Can You Overdose on Nicotine?

A nicotine overdose, also called nicotine poisoning, occurs when someone uses too much of a product containing the chemical. Although rare, nicotine poisoning typically happens when young children accidentally use tobacco.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, symptoms of a nicotine overdose include:

Headache

Weakness

Increased or decreased heartrate

Difficulty breathing

Vomiting

Fainting

Overdosing on nicotine should be treated as a medical emergency. If you witness someone overdosing on tobacco, call 911 immediately. You can also call a nearby poison control center at 800-222-1222. A representative will instruct you on how to help someone who has overdosed.

Treating Nicotine Addiction

A combination of medications and behavioral treatments can assist people in abstaining from nicotine products. Behavioral therapies use self-help literature and counseling to teach people to recognize triggers that contribute to continued nicotine use.

Many smokers participate in nicotine replacement therapies. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration, these treatment options help people relieve withdrawal symptoms and slowly taper their exposure to nicotine. The products include chewing gum, transdermal patches, inhalers, lozenges and nasal sprays.

If you are struggling with nicotine addiction, call the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ national helpline at 800-784-8669. A call representative can share information on the dangers of tobacco products and tips for overcoming nicotine addiction.

Matt Gonzales is a writer and researcher for DrugRehab.com. He graduated with a degree in journalism from East Carolina University and began his professional writing career in 2011. Matt covers the latest drug trends and shares inspirational stories of people who have overcome addiction. Certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in health literacy, Matt leverages his experience in addiction research to provide hope to those struggling with substance use disorders.

Lopez-Quintero, C. et al. (2011, May). Probability and predictors of transition from first use to dependence on nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine: Results of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Retrieved from Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871610003753